Planfile construction



1941- c. B. ULRICH 2,266,450

PLANFILE CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 30, 1940 s Sheets-Sheei 2 INVENTOR.

EL v C'HAELMESD. ULE/CH g BY Mama. M

ATT EY Dec. 16, 1941. c. syuLRlcH PLJANFILE CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 30, 1940 ZR. 0 mm W/ a m y 1 ..E 2 m; w w g m W K m. d 2 Y B n a n @W e 4 04 j Patented Dec. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE .PLANFILE CONSTRUCTION Charles Ulrich, Jamestown, N. Y. Application December 30, 1940, Serial No. 372,323

7 ,(CL 129- 1e) 20 Claims.

ficiently forcible to so positively hold the walls of a pocket towards each otherwith but few papers or tracings in the pocket, as to prevent slippage of the papersor tracings downwardly in the'pocket, difliculty was experienced in opening the upper edge portion of the pocket to inset and remove filed sheets, particularly where the supporting cross bars were free to :assume positions vertically over the Wallsof the pocket, as has frequently been the case; and second,

where the force of the compression'means was made light enough to permit the ready opening manually of the upper edge of a pocket, particularly with but few papers or tracings in the pocket, the force of compression was, not sufficient to hold the papers or tracings against slippage and prevent their bunching in the lower.

part of the pocket.

It is an object of my invention, to provide a planfile of the kind referred to, with a casing having a hinged cover and to further provide automatic devices positively opening the upper edge portions of all of the suspended. pockets when the cover is raised, thereby permitting ready access to any desired pocket even though the force of the compression means between the pockets may be relatively large, and quite as posi tively closing and compressing the upper edge portions of all of the pockets when thecover is lowered to its casing closing position.

More specifically, it is a further object of my invention to provide operating members connected with alternate ones of said cross bars, so that movement of said operating members will move said alternate cross bars respectively towards or from cooperating intermediate ones of said cross bars to close or open the corresponding pockets; and to connect said operating members with the casing cover in such a manner that opening the cover will move the operating members to open the upper edge portions offithe pockets, and closing the cover will move the operating members to close the upper edge portions of the pockets and hold them closed with any desired pressure. By this means, the compression means or springs between the pockets may be made as stiff as required to effect eflicient com pression of the pockets, and yet the upper portions of the pockets will be positively opened when the casing cover is opened.

The above and other objects of my invention will more clearly appear by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, in which Fig. 1 illustrates my improved planfile in vertical, sectional view taken from the front to rear thereof, V I

- Fig. 2is a vertical, sectional view to an enlarged scale of a part of the structure taken along the line 22 in'Fig'. 1. y

Figs. 3; 4 and 5 are vertical sectional views of parts of the structure to a scale smaller than that of Fig. 2 but larger than that of Fig. 1, these views being taken respectively along lines 3-;3, 44 and 5- -5 in Fig.2,

Figs. 6 and 7 are schematic views to a smaller scale than and taken in the same direction as Fig. 1, and respectively illustrate the casing cover in its opened and closed positions, and the positions thereby given to the movable ones of the pocket-suspending cross bars,

Figs-8 and'9 show in views respectively similar to Figs. 6 and 7, a modified arrangement of the cross bar operating mechanism, and

Fig. 10 is a detail view of a part of the construction of Figs. 8 and 9. v

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

" 'As shown in Fig. 1, myplanfile is provided with a casing l0 having a hinged cover ll provided with a latch bar l2 of any desired construction for holding the cover in its raised position. The side walls of the casing support in parallel arrangement, alternate cross bars" I3, l3 and intermediate cross bars I4, M, the cross bars I3 being supported for easy movement forwardly and rearwardlyby rollers I5. Each of the cross bars l3 and the next adjacent cross bar I4 to the rear therefrom, support the front and rear walls Ilia and I6!) respectively of a flexible pocket [6 suspended from said cross bars, said walls being secured together. at their lower edges by a flexible and yieldable member I of fabric or the like, permitting the pocket to expand and compress according tothe quantity of filed material therein. The members lfic preferably support folders '55 IT to receive the filed contents, and each of the walls I6b has secured thereto a downwardly extending plate ltd, which is connected below the members I60 with a pocket spacing strip I8, which strip is free from connection excepting with the pockets as stated. Compression springs I9 are provided between the pockets and between the front and rear casing walls and the adjacent pockets, to compress the pockets to the extent the contents thereof will permit, said springs being preferably of sufflcient strength to hold even a few sheets of drawings or tracings in any pocket, against slippage downwardly in the pocket, even if all of the other pockets are empty.

The ends of the cross bars I4 preferably have fixed supports, whereas similar ends of the cross bars I3 are movable forwardly and rearwardly of the casing in definitely spaced relation, by'a link 20 pivotally connected with an arm 2| rigidly secured to the cover II, all as more fully described below.

As shown in Fig. 2, the upper portion of each side wall of the casing II) has secured between and to its walls a reinforcing and supporting horizontal channel member 22, extending from the front wall to the rear wall of the casing. Adjacent the inner wall of the side wall, the channel member 22 supports a horizontal channelshaped runway 23 with its flanges extending upwardly and extending from the front wall to the back wall of the casing, to support the rollers I for rolling movement therein forwardly and rearwardly of the casing. The end portion of each cross bar I3 is shouldered adjacent the end of the roller I5 which is near the inner wall of the side wall, said end portion being of reduced diameter through the roller and extended therefrom beyond the channel member 23, to and through a spacing and operating member 24 adjacent the outer surface of the runway 23, the member 24 being held in place on the end portions of the cross bars I3 by an upwardly extending flange 25a on a channel shaped member 25 reinforcing the upper portion of the casing side wall and having a second flange 25b to which a plate 26 is removably secured above the cross bars I3 and I4 to complete the inner wall of the side wall and when removed by releasing the retaining screws indicated, to afford a suitable clearance opening into the side wall to facilitate assembling the parts. the flanges of the runway 23 are so spaced as to give free mechanical clearance to the roller I5 axially, but insufliciently to afford appreciable axial play to the rollers. The upper portions of said flanges are formed outwardly away from each other to reduce to a minimum the area of end engagement of each roller I5 with the runway, thereby reducing to a minimum the frictional engagement of the rollers with the runway 23. The flange 25a is spaced from the runway 23 by an amount only sufliciently greater than the thickness of the operating member 24 to permit said member to move freely longitudinally, thereby retaining said member in operative position on the ends of the cross bars I3; The inner flange 23a of the runway 23 is extended upwardly between the movable cross bars I3, and provided with upwardly opening notches engaging and fitting grooves I4?) formed in the cross bars I4 of the rollers I5, thereby permitting the rollers The bottom portions of I5 to overlap the ends of the cross bars I4 during the operation of the device.

As also shown in Fig. 2, the operating member 24 has rigidly secured thereto, an outwardly extending stud 21, which is shouldered outside of the plane of the ends of the cross bars I3, to engage the adjacent end of the link bar 20, outside of which the stud is grooved to engage the end of a helical tension spring 28, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3.

As also shown in Fig. 2, the lower edge of the plate 26 is disposed just above and clearing the cross bars I3 and I4, thereby affording free movement to the cross bars I3, but sufficiently close to the cross bars I4 to prevent their removal from their supporting slots in the flange 23a.

The structure described in connection with Fig. 2, is duplicated in reverse arrangement in the other side wall of the casing I0, as a result of which the parts are held against displacement from the relationships described, unless the plates 26 are removed.

Each of the cross bars I3 and I4 has secured thereto in any suitable manner, the upper end of each of a plurality of pocket members IEe of thin sheet metal, as shown for one of said members in Fig. 2, the number per cross bar depending on the length of the cross bar and the width of the planfile, and being sufficient in any case to positively support the folders I1 employed. Each pocket member Hie on one of the cross bars I3 is connected with the similar pocket member on an adjacent cross bar I4, by a flexible bottom member I60 and the pairs of pocket members so connected, together constitute the pocket supported by said two cross bars.

In Fig. 3, the relation of. the operating member 24 to the ends of the cross bars I3 is more clearly shown, as well as the relation of the operating member to the link bar 20. It will be noted that the link bar 20 is slotted at 29a to be a sliding fit on the outer end portion of the stud 27, and that the end of the spring 28 not in engagement with the'stud 21 as described, is secured to the link bar 20, for example, by a screw 20b, to hold the stud 21 against the left hand end of the slot 20a (as seen in Fig. 3), with a force equal to the tension of the spring 28. As a result, when the cover II is closed, thereby moving the link bar 20, and through the spring 28 the operating member 24 to the left (as seen in Fig. 3), the cross bar I3 move from the open condition of the pockets to their closed condition (illustrated respectively in Figs. 6 and '7) until the cross bars I3 engage the supporting lugs 23b for the cross bars I4 (Fig. 5), or until the closing movement is stopped by reason of a full pocket or pockets, or otherwise, and continued movement of the cover I I to its closed position holds the cross bars I3 in their pocket-closing position, with the force then exerted by the spring23, the stud 27 moving suificiently in the slot 23a to permit the completion of the closing movement of the cover I I.

Fig. 4 more clearly shows the relation of the cross bars I3 to the cross bars I4 for the open condition of the pockets.

Fig. 5 more clearly shows the manner in which the cross bars I4 are supported by the flange 23a of the runway 23, and the lug 23b adjacent the slots supporting said cross bars. It will be noted that with the pockets empty or nearly so, the lugs 23b limit the movement of the cross bars I3 in closing the pockets.

In Figs. 6 and 7 illustrating schematically the relation of the cross bars I3 and I4 to each other for the opened and closed conditions of the upper edge portions of the pockets l6, and respectively for the opened and closed positions of 'the cover I I, it will be noticed that the length of the arm 2| placing its pivotal connection with the link bar 2%] well below a straight line through the cover hinge and the stud 21 when the cover is closed, results in moving the operating member 24 towards the front of the casing [0, when the cover is moved to its open position. For this arrangement, the fixed upper edge of each pocketis to the rear of its upper movable edge. 7 In Figs. 8 and 9 I illustrate schematically in views similar respectively to Figs. 6 and 7, a modified arrangement of the same parts as before, by which the fixed upper edge of each pocket is towards the front of the casing l and the movable upper edge of the pocket is to the rear of its fixed upper edge, the front pocket having its fixed cross bar resting tightly against the inner surface of the front wall of the casing I 0. This arrange ment has the advantage that papers cannot be accidentally slipped into the casing at any time, between the front pocket and the front wall of the casing, the main disadvantage being that the links operating the movable cross bars are more in evidence than with the construction illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7.

In the arrangement of Figs. 8 and 9, the cross bars [4a are the same as the cross bars I4 and supported in the same manner, excepting that they support the front edges of the pockets re-' spectively. The cross bars |3a are the same and are supported in the same manner and are operated in the same way as the cross bars !3, excepting that they support the rear upper edges 'r'e-f spectively of the pockets, and that they move towards the front of the casing to close the-pock ets when the casing cover II is closed. The operating'member 24a is the same as the operating member 24, and operates the cross bars I3a in the same manner as the cross bars l3 are operated. The arm 2 la, however, is substantially different and differently located from the arm 2i.

The arm 2la is as short. as good connection with the link bar 40 will permit, and it is located sub-' stantially farther from the cover hinge than is the arm 2! The link bar 49 connecting the arm 2| a with the operating member 24a is similar to the link bar 29, excepting that in closing the pockets by closing the cover H, it is subjected to a compressive force, instead of a tensional force as exerted on the link bar 20. This results in'a construction of the forward end of the link bar 40 different from that of the link bar 2E3, as illustrated in Fig. 10. As there shown, the forward' end of the link bar 4%] is provided with a longi-. tudinal slot 40a to receive a stud Zia secured :to'

the operating member 24a, and said link bar is continued forwardly beyond said'slot a sufiicient distance to support one end of a helical spring 28a, for example, by a screw 481), the other end of said spring engaging the stud 21a, so that the spring 28a acts in quite the same manner and for the same reasons as does the spring 28.

From the above it will be seen that the planfile of my invention provides for the use of any necessary pressure of the compression spring I9,

self thereto, as I may employ equivalents thereof without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls and a'hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing andinthe upper portion thereof, alternate onesof said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts determining pocket openings andintermediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respectively between said fixed cross bars andtowards and from the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended from' said cross bars and each supported at one ofits upper edges'by one of said fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars means connecting the end: portions of said movable cross bars for-simultaneous movement, and devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens the upper portionsof said-pockets.

2; In a planfile, the combination of a casing having sidewalls and a hinged cover; parallel andhorizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced'from each other-amounts determining pocket "openings and intermediate ones of said cross bars beingfmounted at their end portions for-movement respectively between said fixed cross bars and towards and from the frontof' said'casin'g, filing pockets suspended from said cross bars andeach supported at one of its'upper edgesby one of said fixed-cross bars and at its other upper edge bythe next and'a movable onefof said cross bars, means connect-i ing theend portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, and devices con necting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that'opening said cover opens the upper portio'ns'of said pockets and closing said cover clos'es'the upper portions of said pockets.

3."IIl. a planfile, the combination of a casing having'side walls and a hinged covenparallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts movable one of said cross bars, means connecting the end portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, devices connecting said connecting means withsaid cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pocket s,'rollers supporting the ends of said intermediate cross bars, and channelshaped runways supporting said rollers and restraining themagainstsubstantial axial movement,

4. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls 'anda hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion there-- of, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed ticular embodiment described, Ido notlim'it mydetermining pocket openings and intermediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respectively between said fixed cross bars and towards and from the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended from said cross bars and each supported at one of its upper edges by one of said fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars, means connecting the end portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pockets, rollers supporting the ends of said intermediate cross bars, and channel-shaped runways supporting said rollers and restraining them against substantial axial movement, the inner flanges of said runways having upwardly opening slots supporting the ends of said alternate cross bars.

5. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls and a hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts determining pocket openings and intermediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respectively between said fixed cross bars and towards and from the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended from said cross bars and each supported at one of its upper edges by one of said fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars, means conne ct. ing the end portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pockets, rollers supporting the ends of said intermediate cross bars, and channel-shaped runways supporting said rollers and restraining them against substantial axial movement, the inner flanges of said runways havin upwardly opening slots supporting the ends of said alternate cross bars, said alternate cross bars having circumferential grooves adjacent their ends and engaging the edges of said slots and restraining said alternate cross bars from longitudinal movement.

6. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls and a hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts determining pocket openings and intermediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respectively between said fixed cross bars and towards and from the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended from said cross bars and each supported at one of its upper edges by one of said fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars, means connecting the end portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pockets, rollers supporting the ends of said intermediate cross bars, and channel-shaped runways supporting said rollers and restraining them against substantial axial movement, the inner flanges of said runways end supports spaced from each other amounts having upwardly opening slots supporting the ends of said alternate cross bars, said alternate cross bars having circumferential grooves adjacent their ends and engaging the edges of said slots and restraining said alternate cross bars from longitudinal movement, the length of each of said alternate cross bars being less than the distance between the rollers on each of said intermediate cross bars, whereby the rollers on an intermediate cross bar may overlap the ends of an adjacent one of said alternate cross bars.

7. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls and a hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts determining pocket openings and intermediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respectively between said fixed cross bars and towards and from the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended from said cross bars and each supported at one of its upper edges by one of said fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars, means connecting the end portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, and devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pockets, said connecting means comprising a spacing and operating member parallel with each side wall of the casing and having clearance apertures therethrough in line with and containing the corresponding end portions of the intermediate cross bars.

8. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls and a hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts determining pocket openings and intermediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respectively between said fixed cross bars and toward and from the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended from said cross bars and each supported at one of its upper edges by one of said fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars, means connecting the end portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, and devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pockets, said connecting means comprising a spacing and operating member parallel with each side wall of the casing and having clearance apertures therethrough in line with and containing the corresponding end portions of the intermediate cross bars, and said connecting devices including a pair of link bars each pivotally connected at one of its ends with one of said spacing and operating members and extending to and pivotally connected with said cover.

9. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls and a hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts determining pocket openings and intermediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respectively between said fixed cross bars and towards and from the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended from said cross bars and each supported at one of its upper edges by one of said fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars, means connecting the end portions of said movable cross 'bars for simultaneous movement, and devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pockets, said connecting means comprising a spacing and operating member parallel with each side wall of the casing and having clearance apertures therethrough in line with and containing the corresponding end portions of the intermediate cross bars, and said connecting devices including a pair of link bars each pivotally connected at one of its ends with one of said spacing and operating members and extending to and pivotally connected with said cover, each of said linkbars having a yielding spring-connection with the corresponding spacing and operating member in the direction of the pocket-closing movement of said link bar, whereby the pocketclosing movement of said link bars may be greater than the corresponding movement of said intermediate cross bars.

10. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls and a hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts determining pocket openings and intermediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respectively between said fixed cross bars and towards and from the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended from said cross bars and each supported at one of its upper edges by one of said fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars, means connecting the end portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a'manner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pockets, rollers supporting the ends of said intermediate cross bars, and channel-shaped runways supporting said rollers and restraining them against substantial axial movement, said connecting means comprising a spacing and operating member parallel with each side wall of the casing and having clearance apertures therethrough in line with and containing the corresponding end portions of the intermediate cross bars.

7 11. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls and a hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to'side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts determining pocket openings and intermediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respective- 15' between said fixed cross bars and towards and from the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended from said cross bars and each supported at one of its upper edges by one of said fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars, means connecting the end portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens theupper-portions of said pockets, rollers supporting the ends of said intermediate cross bars, and channel-shaped runways supporting said rollers and restrainingthem against substantial axial movement, said connecting means comprising a spacing and operating 'mzember parallel with each side. Wall of the casing and having clearance apertures therethrough in line with and containing the corresponding end portions of the intermediate cross bars, and said connecting devices including a pair of link bars each pivotally connected at one of its ends with one of said spacing and operating members and extending to and pivotally connected with said cover. 1

12. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls and a hinged cover, parallel next and a movable one of said cross bars, means connecting the end portions of said movable cross bars forvsimultaneous movement, devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such amanner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pockets, rollers supporting the ends of said intermediate cross bars, and channel-shaped runways supporting said rollers and restraining them against substantial axial movement, said connecting means comprising a spacing and operating member parallel with each side wall of the casing and having clearance apertures therethrough in line with and containing the corresponding end portions of the intermediate cross bars, and said connecting devices including a pair of link bars each pivotally connected at one of its ends with one of said spacing and operating members and extending to and pivotally connected with said cover, each of said link bars having a yielding spring-connection with the corresponding spacing and operating member in the direction of the pocket-closing movement of said link bar, whereby the pocket-closing movement of said link bars may be greaterthan the corresponding movement of said intermediate cross bars.

13. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls and a hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts determining pocket openings and in-. termediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respectively between said fixed cross bars and towards andlfrom the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended from said cross bars and each supported at one of its upper edges by one ofsaid fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars means connecting the end portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pockets, rollers supporting the ends of said intermediate cross bars, channel-shaped runways supporting said rollers and restraining them against substantial axial movement, said connecting means comprising a spacing and operating member parallel with each side wall of the casing and having clearance apertures therethrough in line with and containing the corresponding end portions of the intermediate cross bars, and a flange member holding each of said spacing and operating members on the corresponding end portions of the intermediate cross bars and for longitudinal movement adjacent the corresponding channel-shaped runway.

14. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side Walls and a hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts determining pocket openings and intermediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respectively between said fixed cross bars and towards and from the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended from said cross bars and each supported at one of its upper edges by one of said fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars, means connecting the end portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pockets, rollers supporting the ends of said intermediate cross bars, and channel-shaped runways supporting said rollers and restraining them against substantial axial movement, said connecting means comprising a spacing and operating member parallel with each side Wall of the casing and having clearance apertures therethrough in line with and containing the corresponding end portions of the intermediate cross bars, said intermediate cross bars being shouldered at the inner ends of said rollers and of reduced diameter through said rollers and said spacing and operating members, thereby restraining said intermediate cross bars against substantial longitudinal movement.

15. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having side walls and a hinged cover, parallel and horizontal cross bars extending from side to side of the casing and in the upper portion thereof, alternate ones of said cross bars having fixed end supports spaced from each other amounts determining pocket openings and intermediate ones of said cross bars being mounted at their end portions for movement respectively between said fixed cross bars and towards and from the front of said casing, filing pockets suspended irom said cross bars and each supported at one of its upper edges by one of said fixed cross bars and at its other upper edge by the next and a movable one of said cross bars, means connecting the end portions of said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, devices connecting said connecting means with said cover in such a manner that opening said cover opens the upper portions of said pockets, rollers supporting the ends of said intermediate cross bars, and channel-shaped runways supporting said rollers and restraining them against substantial axial movement, said intermediate cross bars being shouldered at the inner ends of said rollers and of reduced diameter through said rollers, thereby restraining said intermediate cross bars against substantial longitudinal movement.

16. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having a hinged cover, pocket supporting cross bars in said casing in two groups, one of said groups being fixed and the other of said groups being movable, means connecting said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, and devices connecting said connecting means with said cover to move said movable cross bars by movement of said cover. 7

17. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having a hinged cover, pocket supporting cross bars in said casing in two groups, one of said groups being fixed and the other of said groups being movable, means connecting said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, and devices connecting said connecting means with said cover to move said movable cross bars by movement of said cover, said connecting devices having positive operating connections for one direction of movement of said cover and having resiliently yielding operating connections for the other direction of movement of said cover.

18. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having a hinged cover, pocket supporting cross bars in said casing in tWogroups, one of said groups being fixed and the other of said groups being movable, means connecting said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, and devices connecting said connecting means with said cover to move said movable cross bars by movement of said cover, said connecting means comprising spacing and operating members on the end portions of said movable cross bars.

19. In a planfile, the combination of a casing having a hinged cover, pocket supporting cross bars in said casing in two groups, one of said groups being fixed and the other of said groups being movable, means connecting said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, and devices connecting said connecting means with said cover to move said movable cross bars by movement of said cover, said connecting means comprising spacing and operating members on the end portions of said movable cross bars, and said connecting devices including link bars pivotally connecting said spacing and operating members with said cover.

20. In a planfile, the'combination of a casin having a hinged cover, pocket supporting cross bars in said casing in two groupsone of said groups being fixed and the other of said groups being movable, means connecting said movable cross bars for simultaneous movement, and devices connecting said connecting meanswith said cover to move said movable cross bars by means of said cover, said connectingmeans comprising spacing and operating members on the end portions of said movable cross bars, and'said connecting devices including link bars pivotallyconmeeting said spacing and operating members With said cover, said link bars having resiliently yielding operating connections in therdirection of movement produced by closing said cover.

CHARLES E. ULRICH. 

